Courtesy of Lock Haven Athletics 

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Back in Thomas Fieldhouse for the first time in 2023, the Lock Haven University men’s wrestling team (3-6, 2-1 MAC) defended their home mat in a thrilling 21-12 victory over visiting Rider University (4-3, 2-1 MAC) on Thursday evening in Mid-American Conference (MAC) action.

At 125, Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima (NC State)) got things started for The Haven. The No. 6 ranked wrestler led 4-1 after a strong opening period, and rode home with a 6-4 decision over Rider’s Tyler Klinsky.

No. 33 Gable Strickland (Benton, Pa./Benton) tacked another win at 133 pounds in one of the night’s most thrilling bouts. Strickland led 4-1 after the opening period, but Richie Koehler got on the board big time as the wrestlers traded takedowns and reversals in the final two periods with Strickland coming out on top 14-10.

Lock Haven led 6-0 after the opening two bouts, but Rider got going at 141 with a major decision from No. 26 McKenzie Bell.

Nick Stonecheck (Alpharetta, Ga./Buford High School) brought a packed Thomas Fieldhouse to life at 149 pounds when he earned a hard-fought 6-4 decision over No. 22 Quinn Kinner. The Bald Eagles’ sophomore started quickly with a takedown in the opening minute, and in the final moments of the bout sat tied at 4-4, before a late reversal sealed the upset victory.

Ashton Eyler (Millersburg, Ohio/ Claymont High (Iowa Central CC)) kept it rolling and handed LHU a 12-4 lead headed into the intermission with his 10-8 decision victory. Eyler looked destined for bonus points as he led 7-1 in the final period, but dug deep to fend off Rider’s Colton Washelski.

After Rider cut the Bald Eagles lead to 12-8 at 165, Tyler Stoltzfus (Mifflinburg, Pa./Saint Joseph’s Academy) and Isaac Dean got locked into a battle at 174 pounds. After a tough 0-0 opening period, Stoltzfus muscled his way into a reversal and back points to grab a decisive 4-0 lead, and was able to grind out the important 5-2 decision.

Colin Fegley (Mahanoy, Pa./Mahanoy) came up big at 184 pounds and gave Lock Haven the decisive victory with a 5-2 over Michael Wilson. In a low scoring bout, the two headed into the final period with Fegley ahead 1-0, before the redshirt junior powered his way to a 5-2 win to the delight of the Haven faithful.

In the night’s final bout at 285, Isaac Reid (Saltsburg, Pa./Kiski) made his home debut in 2022-23 and sealed the deal with his 2-0 victory. Reid and No. 31 David Szuba battled out a scoreless opening period, before Reid’s early escape in the second opened the scoring. On top to start the final period, Reid impressed in front of the home crowd, riding out the entire clock and tossing Szuba back to the mat in the final moments to earn the riding time point and the decision.

On the night, The Haven rolled to seven victories and two wins over ranked opponents as the reigning MAC champions continued their title defense by knocking off the current top team in the MAC East.

Bout-by-Bout Results: 

125: #6 Anthony Noto (LHU) dec. Tyler Klinsky (RU) / 6-4 / LHU 3-0

133: #33 Gable Strickland (LHU) dec. Richie Koehler (RU) / 14-10 / LHU 6-0

141: #26 McKenzie Bell (RU) major dec. Ty Linsenbigler (LHU) / 8-0 / LHU 6-4

149: Nick Stonecheck (LHU) dec. #22 Quinn Kinner (RU) / 6-4 / LHU 9-4

157: Ashton Eyler (LHU) dec. Colton Washelski (RU) / 10-8 / LHU 12-4

165: Hunter Mays (RU) major dec. J.T. Hogan (LHU) / 12-3 / LHU 12-8

174: Tyler Stoltzfus (LHU) dec. Isaac Dean (RU) / 5-2 / LHU 15-8

184: Colin Fegley (LHU) dec. Michael Wilson (RU) / 5-2 / LHU 18-8

197: #7 Ethan Laird (RU) major dec. Brad Morrison (LHU) / 16-5 / LHU 18-12

285: Isaac Reid (LHU) dec. #31 David Szuba (RU) / 2-0 / LHU 21-12

Final Team Score: Lock Haven 21 Rider 12 

Attendance: 1,016 

The Road Ahead: 

The Bald Eagles are back in Thomas Fieldhouse on Sunday (Jan. 29) for the Mat Town Open II. Action gets underway at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a crowded field of more than 150 wrestlers.